I saw Macphee last summer in St. Peter’s, CB, we were at place called MacBouch for the best club sandwiches in the world. My sister’s son is 7, lives in Quebec City and is a HUGE Habs fan, should have got an autograph for him. He couldn’t believe that someone who played for the Habs would be having lunch in such a small place! Anyway, MacInnis was one of my favourites too, except for the year he won the Conn Smythe! Enjoy the game tonight, I can’t wait for to see the ceremony.

Are you trying to tell us “if you don’t like it, don’t read it” or “if you don’t like it then don’t comment”? I actually read something first before deciding if I like it or not, so it is kind of difficult for me to not read articles I don’t like or disagree with. As for commenting, I don’t do that very often so I may not be up on the rules for it.

It does not seem that HIO needs to “press nerves” in order to get readers and replies. I can see where some folks might see it as gratuitous trolling and don’t blame them for hoping this site is above that kind of easy stuff. Oh well, it’s not a big deal (certainly not hell breaking loose or anything like that).

OK, I accept your explanation. As for Cape Bretoners, I have never heard that line, and I sure would not use it. Cape Bretoners are generally very friendly, hard working people, who mostly have had to carve out a living under very difficult circumstances. Isn’t Al Macinnis from Cape Breton?

OK, you are a senator from the old Roman Empire. So what does that have to do with Ryder, and a Russell Sprout from Newfoundland? Is it supposed to be some kind of dig at Ryder and Newfoundlanders? You should clarify why you use them both in the same sentence.

Folks, I don’t take any of this personally. If I did, I’d be typing these words in a room with padded walls. I know some of the things we post here touch nerves; that’s what being a Canadiens fan is all about. Our hope is only that readers here enjoy the variety of what’s being served up. Just push the brussels sprouts to the other side of the plate!

And I’m in total agreement that we all enjoy this special night for Bob Gainey. There’ll be more games next week, and the week after that. The Canadiens tonight will honour a gentleman who for many years was – and to many, still is – the heart and soul of the organization. I hope fans at the Bell Centre tonight save the trouble of hoisting his banner to the roof, and instead bring the roof down to his banner.
Dave StubbsHabs Inside/Out
Sports Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette

Nice post , the trouble with the Jokinen deal is that GM Martin needs established players in return as he has 7 players on the IR and must make the playoffs or he might be gone and prospects and picks won’t get him there. The Saku deal is rubbish.

Don’t let the few idiots even phase you for a second. This site is AWESOME! I don’t even bother checking the Gazette or TSN for articles anymore. Anything worthwhile will be pointed out here! I love reading your posts, all the links and pics, and Boone’s insight.

It is kind of funny, how visitors to our site link in their comments to all kinds of sites, and to blogs which are written by themselves or by others, many of them featuring outrageous points of view, mindless rumours and nonsense that’s hip-deep. But one link here to one writer’s viewpoint and all hell breaks loose and we’re torched for linking to it.

We do advertise this site, a little immodestly, as “Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens.” If you don’t like a post, please, just skip it?
Dave StubbsHabs Inside/Out
Sports Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette

LECAVALIER SHOULD BE HAB! THATS IT THATS ALL! I SAY TRADE ANY ONE EXCEPT PLEKS, 2 KOSTYS, KOVY, KOMISAREK, MARKOV STRIET, O’BYRNE & GEORGES….. & PLEASE I HOPE GAINEY DOESNT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AS HE DID WITH RIBEIRO BY TRADING RYDER..

The Habs and their fans have lots of time off before the trade deadline on Tuesday to dialogue back and forth about possible trades. Today is Bob Gainey’s day and I feel we should focus on that – as well as defeating Columbus tonight.

WOW, with all the trade talk that goes on here after a loss, I don’t think Mr Stubbs thought his little “what if” would cause such a commotion…
Think back a week guys, when Captain K’s line wasn’t scoring, 90% of the posters here wanted to give Saku away for a bag of pucks…..how fickel Hab fans are, worse than the leaf fans…..

Am I the only one that sees that as being a little one-sided? I know Jokinen’s got better numbers, and that the Panthers are more in the driver’s seat for a trade like this, but wow. Maybe I’m just missing something?

Gotta add my voice to say this is rubbish – I can’t see Koivu going at all. Should he go, he definitely wouldn’t go anywhere else other than another contender – and that sure ain’t Florida. It is his choice and I can’t see him leaving Montreal to play in the tropics. He’s shown he can take the heat here!

I would love Jokinen in a Montreal jersey for the next 2 years – Ryder and Streit for Jokinen, straight up,

1. Salary hit on both sides should be similar (FLA might pay a little more)
2. Jokinen is older than Ryder, younger than Streit (who isn’t over the hill yet), so both fit Fla needs.
3. Although he’s played well the last several games, Ryder appears to need a new team.

Having siad all of this, it has to tempered with the Kovalev experience…everybody was ready to trade him last year, for a bucket of pucks; he has reallt rebounded – will Ryder do the same thing next year, and could he do it here?

Gainey would never trade Koivu to a backwater like Florida. Anaheim, maybe. Gainey has a commitment to Saku Koivu as a man and as a player. That commitment is to make Saku Koivu a champion whether it be in Montreal or elsewhere. If we were in 14th place then there would be no question, trade Koivu and rebuild but we’re contending and Saku is an integral part of that contention.

as a cape bretoner i hardly feel qualified to make any digs at newfoundlanders. the line is cape bretoners are just newfoundlanders with their brains blown out isn’t it? russell sprout is a funny name, isn’t it? that’s all.

Agreed. And if we get Tanguay we’re going to find out that he won’t do a damn thing to improve this team. I mean really: has anybody seen what he’s contributed to the Flames’ this year. This from a guy who says he’s happy.

habsguy:
to be honest with you man.. i always like ribeiro..most of my friends wanted him to leave MTL..but i actually didnt want him to leave, beacause after kovalev he was one of the most skilled player we had

Bill/Moey/Dave/and others! – Wow, I now know what it feels like to be ForFactsSake:-) I think if you follow most of my posts over time you might have an idea of who I am and where I come from in terms of posting and being a Habs fan. I certainly wasn’t being critical of anything or anyone and I can assure you that I didn’t mean to dictate anything in terms of how the site is run. The intent of what I wrote(and meant) and how it was interpreted seemed to go astray. Somehow, things kind of got totally blown out of proportion. I’m not sure what else I can say.

I think if there is any big move we have a good chance of being one of the teams getting the big fishes. Here’s why: Any team with a shot at the cup will not trade a good roster player, after all you are trying to improve your team’s chances…so you need to ADD to your team…not replace. That is exactly what Bob said yesterday and I agree 100%. What will the teams trade then? Picks and prospects. Not many teams have better prospects than we do IMHO. I trust Bob. He will catch us a big fish.

This article is ridiculous and pointless. There’s no mention of Koivu’s NTC, or the fact that he said LAST WEEK that his years of futility in Montreal are turning around and he’s happy to be part of the revival, or the fact that there’s no logic in a veteran player going from a playoff team to a bubble team. Reading that was a waste of time.

The way I see it is if we do pick up players that we need I want them to( want to play here).Not to play here because they have a chance to win the cup.The team we have now worked hard and are excited to play here to get where we are.I know Bob will do the right thing..

I know the grass is always greener, but Habs fans have an amazing ability to overrate other teams’ good players, especially so when comparing them with Saku. Jokinen is a better goal scorer, but he’s not as good a playmaker and in my opinion not as good a leader. Is Jokinen a better player right now? Yes, but he’s only on pace for 75 points, exactly what Saku got last year. Koivu’s on pace for 59, but we all know the problems his wingers have had finishing plays.

I’d rather have Saku than Jokinen, or Briere, or Richards, or a lot of other overrated centers. I like Jokinen, but don’t pay the moon.

In defense of Dave, it’s not a fabrication or rumor, it is simply one guys’ opinion, basically if ifs and ands were pots and pans. IMO, if Saku wanted to go, what he is saying makes sense. But that’s not the case, and I’m glad, I want Saku to hoist that cup above anyone else.

He’s only speculating, and you know as well as I do that’s what mostly goes on here anyway.

Ian he’s only linking to another story by another publication, as this site has been doing since its inception. I don’t really see why that would be a problem. If you (like me) don’t like what the Hockey News guy has to say, then fine, but I’d rather have a link and be able to read the stuff in case it did interest me.

If anything, be thankful that we do have a site where complete rubbish isn’t written all the time and where our writers at the very least have some common sense!

I’d be astonished if it or anything like it happened. But thanks, Dave Stubbs, for keeping us informed on what is being said elsewhere about the Canadiens, even if it’s nonsense. I don’t have time to scour the web for what’s written elsewhere about my team, and I’m grateful when those who post here–both blog staff and readers–keep me up to snuff. I want to know what kind of attention we’re getting, even if it’s misinformed or way off base. The Canadiens have largely been ignored the past few years, but we’re going to get more and more attention very soon.

Dave – In fairness, I believe that all Ian and I were saying was that the trade deadline overload was going over the top and maybe it could take a rest on this special day. I don’t really see ‘all hell breaking loose’ or any sparks flying. To be honest, I was a little taken back by your reply.

Hey Guys Dont Worry! I am coming soon.
ANd yes..to answer your questions, if you want, I will play net for you too. But I must admit I sometimes let in two goals a games, if this is alright with you? Ok! And…yes, I hope you have chilled some Wadka for me because I am ready to play for you guys and try the famous smoked meat sandwhiches, yes, yes.

There have been many of times that I read some post on here and was going to give them old heck,but some things are BETTER LEFT UNSAID.No need to jump the gun and start the critising or name calling.I have had comments made that were rude to me, my culture, my friends on here, and my team the HABS. If everyone thought like Sulemaan ,this sight would be less arguing. Iam not refering to everyone just a few.

Their always room for improvement ….. either way they will be bound to lose some young players …. they have so many players to sign i nthe offseason…I wanna se a blockbuster deal for Hossa or Joki…..Jus don trade away Koivu

you know, if this team is one year ahead of schedule as far as cup competition, why not stand pat, give these guys a chance to prove what they can do, get some experience playoff-wise and do some free agent searching in the summer?

no loss of prospects or young players…plus you will have a much better idea of where we really stand as far as winning the cup goes.

Darn right. You’ve got to do what’s best for the team, within the confines of acting like a decent human being. To give Saku a bunch of career second-liners as linemates for ten years, then get annoyed with him for not playing like a star with minimal support, and then add insult to injury by dealing him to a team in the Eastern Conference gutter just when the Habs are finally approaching greatness – that’s just wrong. If we want Jokinen, we’re going to have to find another way to get him.

Some players are rentals – mercenaries that play for the highest bidder. Koivu has given us more than that – let’s not reward his loyalty to our team and our city with a slap in the face.

wow, lucky i’m not on the team. i get the impression montreal is going for gold this season. all i mean is that there’s no need for a blockbuster for a rental, and there’s also no need to think this team needs one at the moment.

Saku Koivu will never be traded and will retire a Hab… he is too revered in this city to be cast off. He is the captain, he is a class act (he bought the children’s hospital an MRI for crying out loud!) ‘Nuff said.

Carey Price gets the start.
The club did not run line rushes on Saturday morning. The projected scratches are Mathieu Dandenault and Patrice Brisebois.
Steve Begin will be a gametime decision due to a groin injury he suffered just before Alexei Kovalev’s game-tying goal Tuesday versus the New York Rangers.
The Blue Jackets will wear #23 on their jerseys during the Bob Gainey sweater raising ceremony on Saturday as a show of respect. – TSN

Koivu can’t be traded. He’s coming on right now. Nothing can ignite the Bell Center like a Koivu playoff goal. As good as Kovalev is right now I don’t think there’s any player I’d rather have on the ice during the playoffs than Koivu.

Watch the attitudes after a win and a loss, its amazing, decency should be all the time, and hello Timo, you are such an inspiration to many on this site. Happy celebration, Bob Gainey, you make being a Habs fan a great thing again.

“Perhaps a package of Koivu, Jaroslav Halak, a first-round pick and a prospect would be enough. Gainey could also include Alexander Perezhogin, who is having a fine season in Russia this year, but whose contract rights are still owned by the Canadiens.”

Now I don’t disagree that Jokinen would be a help in the playoffs, but that seems like more than a steep price, it seems excessive. And a little crazy. Jokinen has only 14 more points than Koivu this year, and he had only 16 more last year. Koivu is a proven leader and very coachable, and Jokinen is having coaching problems. There is more in our favour in such a trade than giving away all the rest just to land Jokinen.

A Koivu/Jokinen trade might be feasible and it might happen, but not like this. Lay off the extra sweets.

I like Sulemaan’s posts, too. But, if everyone thought like him this place would be boring. We’re not all alike. Differing opinions about the team are what makes this place buzz and keeps the posts coming. A little healthy controversy is good for the blog. The problems arise when people turn to personal attacks. But, I’ve often seen HIO members get angry and label Habs fans as Leafs fans or ‘bandwagoners’ simply because they thought differently or vented their frustrations. People say these things because they’re fans and hate it when the team doesn’t show up, not because they’re secret TO lovers looking for attention! Please. Aren’t we all arm-chair GMs anyway?

I’d rather have someone whose intention it is to stop the other team but realizes when he’s beat and doesn’t take unnecessary penalties. I’m a huge Koivu fan and I’m definitely taking the good with the bad. I’m not holding my breath but I can always hope Koivu will start keeping his stick down.

trade koivu you nuts….. he needs a consisted line and wing man he has chemistry with… you don’t trade your talented player for another one you get guys to compliment youe talent… koivu is very talented just watch him… he makes great plays the problem is there is no chemistry and the linemates are not where they should be… the reason he takes peneltys is cause he is frustrated and has twice the workload because he isn’t clicking with his line… We need a player to play with him and that will make him happier and he will make the plays and get the goals… He said before he isn’t staying on a team that just rebuilds forever he wants to win a cup… BG get him a wingman and watch them fly…

look at why he is taking them he has nobody on his line to compliment him or get the puck to him… or that he has chemistry with to make plays.. instead he is battling for the puck hitting and taken hits thats not his job but no one else is doing it

“He’s coming on right now.” is also rationale to trade him. Think about it… I’m not saying to trade him, but it also gives a player more trade value. Just looking at that from the other side of the coin.

re Jokinen;
Jacques Demers, who’s been around the NHL for more than 25 years, said on RDS the other night that he would not even consider trading for Jokinen. He hears from many NHL insiders that he is, in his own words, a “méchant moineau”. I’ll translate that to a “bad cat” although a moineau is a sparrow.
The hear/say crowd also claims that Jacques Martin’s blood pressure goes up at the mention of his name. So what is it that is so special with Mr. Jokinen.

re Richards;
picture the 8 million dollar man with the worst +\- in the league in the Habs dressing room at this time. No thanks.

re Tanguay;
If he said that he would not play for the Habs and Keenan appears to have no time for him then why would the HABS want him.

The last thing the team needs is some hot shot to come in and “disturb” what this team has worked on all year with Carbo, the “all for one, one for all” chemistry.

LETS HOPE SO.. BG GET HIM A TALENTED WINGMAN LET THEM DEVELOPE CHEMISTY AND THEN WATCH KOIUV COME TO LIFE HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO COMPLIMENT HIM AND SOMEONE WHO CAN GET THE PUK TO HIM AND THAT HE CAN SET UP

layoff him he has no winger that can play with him that can feed him the puck to get the goals to be in front for him to make the play.. he is out there trying to do everything good wingers wold be getting the puck to him for a scoring play instead he has to play in the corners get the puck himself and then try and go to the net cause there is no one out in front to make the play to…he needs a talented winger to compliment him and he will be unstoppable you don’t trade you talent to get the same or less talent you make trades to improve the talent you have

First of all the summer crop of free agents isn’t the best and there’s more competition in the summer as more teams are involved and now some teams will stand pat cuz they don’t know whether to buy or sell (parity).

These proposals to trade Koivu and Ryder concern me. I would find it very sad to see the Habs trade Saku for, say, Jokinen. There is no question at this stage of their careers that Jokinen is objectively a superior player. Yet what kind of message does this send to the other Habs? The Habs should not be an organisation that sends its most distinguished players packing to a team like Florida unless they agreed to the move. If the organisation wants loyalty from its players, it too must demonstrate loyalty to its players. There is something quite wrong with the idea to ship out Saku at exactly the point where for the first time in his career he is part of a solid team that could win it all.

I think the Habs would get a better deal with Edmonton and Jarrett Stoll. Stoll can play a two-way game, win face-offs, and give them a little more size at centre. He also can score, and it sounds like he could use a change of scenery to a team that has a realistic chance of winning the Cup. I think in the longer term Stoll would be a better addition to the team, and give the Habs some cap flexibility down the road. Whatever the case, a trade for Jokinen would require the Habs to give up one or more of their established players to Florida–especially if it is true that Martin was ordered to make the playoffs this year. Martin ultimately will want too much for Jokinen.
_________________________________________“Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.”
–Clint Eastwood

Teacher you are right lay off him for taking penalities at least he works and can skate out there.They can have their say, but Kiovu is the best captian and leader on this team.To lose him is taking the heart out of the team

Good post. The team must demonstrate loyalty to its players, especially its key players. To trade Koivu now would be extremely disloyal, and it would come back to bite them in the ass when they try to extend players like Komi, Higgins, Pleks, Kosti, etc. Why would they show any loyalty towards the Habs if we traded Koivu?

Great to here from you,I figured it out. I stated we should think like Sulemaan because he put alot of thought in his post,dosent mean he is always right and you are right about it would be boring if we all thought the same,but what I was talking about was some things should be left un said,rather than insulting someone,or name calling.We as fans do need variety,but with respect for each other.

So the laffs fired ferguson and hired fletcher to take out some overpaid trash, i don’t consider sundin to fall in this category but the following do. Mccabe,tucker,blake and kubina and none will waive their no trade clauses or no g.m. wants these overpaid bums. So essentially this team may pretty much look the same going into next season. Looks like they will be in the tavares sweepstakes along with the stamkos also.

I basically thought along the same lines as you but when i seen what we have offered roughly a deal doesn’t sound that bad. I don’t think we can land Hossa and Jokinen cuz it would cut into our core but the Richards deal may work. When we got Kovy many people said it would disturb the chemistry but after being eliminated from the playoffs that year Kovy was a god. Richards +/- would be easy to rectify with decent wingers. Demers (on Jokinen) is an ex coach and will always back a coach and if you played the same defensive style game in and game out for years you may be very vex also. Keenan liked him. Tanguay can stay in Calgary.

If you can seriously go back for the last 12 years and please find out if Koivu ever had what we would call first line wingers? The problem is, he did have that talent, until that sunny afternoon in Madison Square Garden all those years ago. The knee injury he suffered that day took that “upper echelon” offencive talent away from him.

In my opinion, Koivu has always been miscast and expected to do things on par with Guy Lafleur or the Rocket, or even Bob Gainey. He is a solid 2nd or at absolute worst 3rd line center in this present day and age. He has also been with our team since the beginning. He was named Captain of the Montreal Canadiens at quite a young age. He has carried himself with utmost dignity, class and a respect for the community. His work effort on and off the ice exemplifies the Montreal Canadiens to a T.

So he gets hooking penalties. He has done it his whole career and obviously all of his coaches don’t seem to mind THAT much as he continues to play the way he did. Why? because he brings the intangibles to a team that say MUCH more than his stats do. He had the best offencive output of his career last year. I think you guys are being a taaaad unrealistic regarding Koivu is all.

We all agree that our youth is the way to go. However if they become great players, why would they stay with us and not go for the almighty dollar if you don’t show them you will keep them around even if their skills are not on par as they were in their primes? Koivu has a no trade clause so the point is MOOT.

Can we stop discussing Koivu trade PLEASE? It is pointless and serves no purpose as it will NEVER happen.

Yes, I told my new friend Bob that when I play in Montreal on tuesday, I did not wish to play with Mats, as I do not not wish the poison that has infected Mats, called the Maple Leafs, to infect me in Montreal.

The trade however, as proposed is a fantaisy,… jokinen would cost more then what the article is suggesting if Martin’s job was on the line for not making the playoff as a result of such a transaction involving the Panther’s center.

Boston’s center Marc Savard + a good UFA to be player… would give him more of what he needs if he doesn’t want to lose his job over trading Joki.

I dont see us having the right pieces for Florida.

We have enought good pieces to get any other impact players though…. Hossa, Richards, havlat, Tangay or whatnot.

Gainey didn’t do enought during the lock-out,… we had so much LNH ready prospects in our organization at that point…. all was needed of Bob then was to get us an extra impact player to complemente Kovalev on our top lines and to foresee that the use of our rising youth as formidable depth lines players as being the way to go in the new salary cap era.

We didn’t capitalised and biffed up our top lines during the exceptionnal UFA bounty that the lock-out had made avalaible ( UFAs were like 3 time the usual numbers when including bought-out players) and while the Selanes and all were passing by Bob was re-signing the Dagenais, the Sundstroms while keeping innapropriate players to play in role they couldn’t (Zednick,Bulis).

I give alot of credits to our players because they have done alot with very little help from Gainey,…
last year’s critical comment from Koivu towards our organization had weight and was entirelly supportive of my point here.

Had our GM’s initiatives and aquisitions matched the level of quality prospects that he inherited from the previous organizations,… we would have been in the driver’s seat from year one in this newNHL…. without even a single lost from our pool of prospects of that time.

Had it been that way Gainey wouldn’t have been confronted to the same resistance to come and play here from the UFA pool of talents the way he has been in the last two years.

Having been a step behind from day one,.. makes it extremelly difficult to acheive a clean move forward today by Gainey… I whish Koivu had spoken his mind to Gainey when he started here as a GM…. of course Koivu had to give the runner a chance first…. he did just that until last year at season’s end.

Can Gainey bring more impact to his club than he has thus far…. I will see it if it ever happen.

Makes the shooping days more interesting to me, more needs and less goodies to choose from. Now, where,s my librium? Oh, Mats, expect a whole lot of booing from your fans, as well as being villified by your press. Now you will know how we feel.

i remember a day when two teams tied with you go into overtime and tie and they each recieve 1 giving us a chance to take the conference lead. Now im cursing as I watch the game go into ot and the 3-pointer comes into play

I wonder how nba fans adjusted to the 3point shot when it originally came into the league and i wonder if they had their don cherry style guy who would say “this 3-pt will cost some team a championship!”

“Koivu, Jaroslav Halak, a first-round pick and a prospect would be enough. Gainey could also include Alexander Perezhogin, who is having a fine season in Russia this year, but whose contract rights are still owned by the Canadiens.”

5 players (including the team’s captain) for the Yokester!? What “prospect” is he referring to? Carey Price? How about the team’s logo, in addition?

Aside from the ridiculousness of trading Koivu, it seems a little silly to deal Halak since I can’t imagine Huet re-signing to play 50 games here next year. Do we really want a goalie tandem of Price-Danis?

I just got around to signing on for today, and read the article. I found it interesting, and then started scrolling down through the comments. Wow! Poor Dave Stubbs got smacked over the head for giving us a link to an article on possible trades. I’m sure Dave does not mind the criticism, but all he is doing is giving us access to some of the information being written about our Canadiens. Isn’t that what HIO is all about? These articles are no different than the trade speculation that we see on TSN, Sportnet, The Score, etc. We read or listen, and take it all with a grain of salt. Nobody, other than the GM’s, know what might happen, so we all have to wait until a trade actually takes place. It’s not fair to criticize Dave Stubbs because people out there actually want to speculate, and he is giving us the chance to read what they are saying.

Just a few days ago, Mike Boone posted a trade rumour from a French newspaper, which was based on equipment purchases. It turned out to be a pair of gloves for Marcel Hossa, and not Marian Hossa. I scoffed at how silly it was to base a rumour on equipment being purchased, but all the posters had their say. The funny thing was that no one lambasted Mike Boone for posting the link. Why are so many people in an ornery mood today?

Keep up the good work Dave Stubbs, and all the crew at HIO. We, the posters are free to post almost anything, but apparently you have to watch yourself. I am glad that you are much more tolerant than some of us.

Now I’m not the sharpest tack on the floor, but I learn every day. I thought Dave was just throwing up some ink to see a trade reaction from us. Anyway i now know what a link is after people talking about THE LINK. I went back to the headline and clicked on to the blue highlighted words, ” Eh voila “!! I now understand and read the article on hockey news.

I think Dave & Inside Out should hold a training camp next fall for all of us old farts to catch up to all you computer literate people. Then I would not make such a fatal mistake again.

Technically, sure it makes some sense. But it won’t happen, for one the writer just jinxed it.

3 weeks ago this trade was closer to comprehension, but i feel that Koivu has been getting his mojo back and wearing the smaller c with the pride we were used to. That shoot out goal against the rangers was a trophy he has been working hard for. I was there and I was also pleased to see the way he celebrated the goal, even though jagr hadn’t yet skated the biscuit in the other direction. I was so happy for Saku. Keep him. Getting rid of him will surley get us a great player in return, but I don’t think it will get us the Cup.

If people disagree with a linked article there should be nothing wrong with it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion (pro/against) so long as it’s done in a courteous and professional manner.

To take personal shots at the journalist/poster putting it up is not acceptable. I for one, like the links as it’s gives me access to information that I wouldn’t have otherwise read.

This website/blog is interesting not only for the articles, stories and information but the opinions and posts as well. I don’t always agree with all of them and I’m sure people don’t always agree with me but that is the beauty of this place. The one commonality is people here love the Habs.

Lastly, I find people to be very reasonable in here. If people do cross the line (in most cases) they often apologize shortly afterwards. You see it time and time again after many flameouts.

bob seems to never make big deals,i cant see him trading away younger players or draft choices which is what other teams would ask im sure.our rebuilding process started when gainey came here, hes doing great so far and were almost at the promised land.true sakus been the heart and soul of our habs for years and he is running out of rope, if he and say smolinski could get us jokinen, go for it.but unlikely.breezer can skate off into the sunset.trade huey at some point when price is ready, keep halak as a backup. some probs as mcguire points out bout commin to mtl are high taxes, the french situation, getting there kids into english schools etc.tonites a gauranteed win for the habs miso fanns. go habz go!!

Yes, this would be an unbelievable trade hockey-wise, except for the fact that Koivu deserves to be on this team after all he’s given to the franchise his entire career and the fact that he has a no trade clause.

That said, if I were Gainey and this deal were offered and Saku wanted to go, I wouldn’t have to be asked twice

Campbell’s not taking into account that this organization is far too classy to deal away the only consistent bright spot of the darkest decade and a half in their history, just when they’re finally surrounding him with quality.

That said I really want Jokinen. But Martin wants to make the playoffs this year and would want Pleks, Koivu or Higgins in the deal and that’s no good IMO